Cloth spreading and piling machine



March 4, 1930. ,1. E. GADBOIS 1,749,314

I CLOTH SPREADING AND FILING" MACHINE Filed April 16. 1928 v 6 Sheets-Sheet l March 4, 1930. J. E. GADBOIS 4 CLOTH SPREADING AND FILING MACHINE Filed April 16. 1928 e Sheets-Sheet 2 Jasnw @7060/15 arch 4,1930. .LE. G'ADBQI'S 1,749,214

CLOTH SPREADING AND FILING MACHINE Filed April 16. 1928" e Shets-Sheet 3 I v v Q k Q Q, 3; 3' Q daszfi/r 630501:

'Mch 4, 1930.

J. E. GADBOIS I 1,749,214

CLOTH SPREADING AND FILING MACHINE Filed April 16. 1928 e Sheets-Sheet 5 March 4, 1930. J. E GADBOIS CLOTH SPREADING AND FILING MACHINE "6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jaw-v 6905015 Filed April 16. 1928 M v v O Q AF .H... H, N sq w Q 7 n o R Q \& h. Q 1- r 1 wk Wm RM Q KQ v HUN E\\ elatented Mar. 4, 1930 i "UNITED STA Test mm; a. embers, or SPRINGFIELD, mssac'nusa'rrs PATENT OFFICE OLOTE SPBEADING AND FILING MACHINE I Application filed April 16,

This invention relates to a cloth measuring and cutting machine and has for its primary object the provision of a machine of a semiautomatic type combining a plurality of mechanisms whereby a predetermined length of cloth may be mechanically fed over a cutting table into proper position to be cut;

mechanism automatically functioning to interrupt operative connection between the cut cloth and the machineand'to operate to elevate portions of the machine for another cycle of operation. j

Another object of the invention is theprovision of mechanism ,for automatically gripping a length of cloth at predetermined intervals and drawing the cloth over a cutting table, the cloth automatically actuating certain parts to release itself from the mechamsm upon reaching a predetermined position.

A distinguishing feature of the machine is the automatic control for the various mechanisms whereby the. mechanisms are automatically and periodically set into operation to )erform their necessary functions in the feeding of cloth across a cutting table and the stacking thereof.. l

A feature of. theinvention is the feeding mechanism incorporating a plurality of gripping devices capable of automatic gripping engagement with the cloth for drawing the cloth. across the table and capable of auto-' matic releasing so as to immediately disconnect the mechanism from-the cloth when the latter has been drawn the required distance over the cutting table. v 4

Besides the above my invention is distinguished in the combination design and corelation of mechanisms and combinations of mechanisms whereby any number of lengths of cloth may be automatically drawn over a J cutting table and stacked ,in a perfectly smoot arrangement. With these and other objects in view, the

invention will be better understood from the 1928. Serial No. 270,884;

following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete. machine,

Figure'2 isa' top plan view,

Figure 3 is a cross sectional View on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view (in the lined-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5- of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view through the cutting mechanism,

Figure 8 is a detailed side elevation of a portion of the control mechanism,

F igure 9 is a cross sectional view of a part of the feed mechanism and associated parts,

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of the feed mechanism and component parts,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of a part of the feed mechanism,

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the forward part of the machine taken on the line 12-12 of Figure 2, and Figure 13 is a sectional view of the remaining part of the machine taken on the line 1212 of Figure 2.

Briefly stated, the invention consist basically of a material supporting structure upon which the roll of clothis mounted and fed to the machine; a table structure over which the cloth is extended for a cutting operation; feed mechanism for drawing the cloth over the cutting table; elevating mechanism for raising the feed mechanism the required elevation to accommodate stacking of the cut cloth; drive mechanism for driving the various associated mechanisms periodically in timed relation; and releasing mechanism cofunctionin with associated mechanisms to control and regulate therelative operations of the various mechanisms. Y

Broadly stated, the functioning of the mechanisms just mentioned according to t1me requirements are as follows: first, the feed mechanism is set into operation for drawing the cloth the required distance across the cutting table; then, the main control mechanism is actuated by the cloth when the latter has reached a predetermined position along the cutting table to discontinue the operation of the feed mechanisms; then the releasing mechanism operates'to release mechanical engage 'ment of the feed mechanism with the strip of cloth previously fed .over the cutting table;

then the elevating mechanism operating to elevate the feed mechanism the required elevation to accommodate stacking of the cut cloth and finally the auxiliary control functioningto restore the necessary parts to neutral position for enabling the machine to again pass through a cycle of operation.

Material supporting stmcture.-This material supporting structure consists of asupporting frame 1 and a plurality of feed rollsmounted and spring pressed as indicated at 6 so as to assure positive engagement between the peripheral surface of the ro1ls and the traveling web and further to provide the necessary mechanical action to draw the web its power.

eratively connected to the drive shaft 8 by of cloth from the roll 4 and over the various feed rolls to a position contiguous the receiving end of the feeding mechanism. The. shaft 5 which carries the lower roll of the upper set of feed rolls is provided with a pulley 7 over which travels a belt 7. A double pulley 7 is mounted upon the frame 1 and the belt 7 also passes over the smaller pulley thereof, whereas the larger pulley is driven by a belt 7, which latter extends over a pulley 73 carried by the driven shaft 11 (see Figure 3). A main driveshaft 8 is: also journaled in suitable bearings supported by the frame 1 and has connected thereto a double drive ulley 9 from which it receives T he driven shaft 11 is to be opmeans of a sprocket chain drive 10in a manner to be later described so that upon rotation of the driven shaft 11, the upper feed roll's' will be caused to revolve through the belt and pulley drive connections as previously described, whereupon the web of cloth will be drawn from the roll 4 and fed to the cutting table.

Table struoture.-The table structure may be of-any suitable design commercially known asa cutting table and provided with a cutting top 12- and legs 13 for supporting the top at the required elevation. Properly associated with this cutting table is the feed mechanism, elevating mechanism, .driving mechanisman'd releasing mechanism hereinafter described.

Feed meohwm'sm-The feed mechanism consists of tracks or side frames 14, one on each side of the'table and mounted to have placed upon counter shafts 18 disposed at opposite endsof the table. Thus, it will be appreciated that the drive chains are positlvely' driven in unison thereby assuring positive uniform feed of the cloth across the table. Secured at spaced intervals to one of the drive chains are clips 19 of a design to periodically engage the longitudinal edge portion of the cloth at predetermined intervals so as to be capable of drawing the cloth across the cutting table in a manneras to not wrinkle the latter and to assure the flat colgltact of the cloth with the surface of the ta e.

each comprising a stationary gripping aw 21 secured to and carried by the'drive chain 16 and a pivotally mounted jaw 22 normally held into gripping engagement with the sta- These clips 19 may be of any suitable de sign but preferably of a spring actuated type 12.with the chains 16. This clamp bar is .to enable the clamp bar to be readily removed when the bar isto be disconnected from the cloth.

I will now describe the drive mechanism a component part of the feed mechanism and of anovel design and construction to enable uniform driving of the chains and to enable cessation ofthe operation of the said chains 7 under predetermined requirements. This mechanism consists of gears 26 operatively associated with certain of the sprockets 17 and driven by the worm gears 27 I splinedto but -slidably mounted on the drive shafts 28,

which are in turn'slidably mounted in tubular'shafts 29 carrying bevel gears 30 operatively associated with the main driving mechanism hereinafter described.

'As far as I have proceeded, it will be appreciated that the drive chains may be driven the required interval of'time to properly distribute a length of cloth over the cutting table and said mechanism may be raised vertically due to the sliding connection between the worm gears and associated shafts and the driving connection between the tubular shafts and the worm gear shafts, Thus, it will be appreciated that stacking of the cloth can be accommodated without in any way interfering'with the effective operation of the feed mechanism for drawing the cloth across ing of the web of material between the plates.

Secured to and projecting fromthe table are a pair of brackets 31 which support the guide roller 32, the latter extending across the feeding end of the guide plates 32 and 33. The hingedly supported-plate 33 is provided with a handle 33 whereby the operatormay separate the plates for threading the web 3 therethrough. The outer or free end of the plate 33 is provided with a plurality of notches 35 ada ted to receive the vertically extending pins 25 of the clamp bar 24 so that the clamp bar may, at the start of each cloth layingoperati'on, be placed below the plate 33 and the cloth attached by hand to the pins 25. When the machine is again started, the chains 16 will draw this bar 24 from the plate 33' across the table 12 until the bar 24 strikes the bar 39 at which time the feed mechanism will be stopped. After each layer of cloth is spread over the table 12 in the required length, a cutting device is brought into play for severingsuch layer of cloth from the web 3. This cutting device comprises a grooved plate 36' mounted upon. the table 12 having the groove thereof extending laterally across the table and slightly in advance of the plates of the cutting structure 31 for receiving the cutting .edge of the knife 37 when the latter is in its lowermost position. This knife 37 is car- .ried by a frame 38 slidably mounted in the supports 37 secured to and projecting from the plate 36 and is normally held inan,

elevated osition as is better shown in Figure 6 of the rawing by means of the coil spring 36*. handle 38 is fulcrumed as at 38 to one of the supports 37 and has pivotally connected thereto as at 36, the knife frame 38 so that the operator in pressing down upon.

the outer or free end of this handle will cause the knife to out each layer of cloth from theweb 3. I

Also included as a component partof the Fcedmechanism is a main control mechanism so designed and positioned as to be automatically actuated when-a length of cloth has been moved the required distance across the cutting table. That is to say, a' projecting portion of the main control mechanism is positioned to be struck by the transverse edge of the cloth for giving movements thereto for shifting associated parts to stop further movements of the feed mechanism and to establish cooperative relation between various other mechamsms to enable the machine to perform additional functions.

This main control mechanism comprises a shifter or bar 39 which latter may extend through either one of the openings 39 formed within the table top 12according to the length vers are connected to a bar 41. The upper ends of these levers 40 and 40 are each provided with a socket in which may be seated the bar or shifter 39. If layers of cloth of short lengths are desired, the bar 39 is seated within the socket of the lever 40 as is better illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, but if layers of cloth of longer lengths are required the bar 39 will be seated within the socket of the lever 40 When the clamp bar 24 strikes this bar 39 the levers 40 and 40 will be-swung upon their pivotal connections for shifting the link 41 and the opposite end of this link 41 is connected to a clutch lever 42. This clutch lever 42 is pivotally supported upon one of the legs 13 of the table as is better-illustrated in Figure 5 and is operatively associated with the control clutch of the driving mechanism to be later described, so that the cloth feeding mechanism may be disconnected from the driving mechanism immediately after each layer of clothhas been placed upon the-table 12. T

' Releasing meeham'sm.The releasing mechanism in this particular showing consists of a release b.ar 43 of the required length to simultaneously engage all of the active clips, for simultaneously releasingv engagementof the clips with the longitudinal edge portion of the cloth. To accomplish, this desired'result, the release bar is arranged in parallel relation with the upper jaws of the clips so that when this bar is depressed the upper jaws will be swung about their pivots against the action of theassociated springs for opening-the jaws. Secured to the opposite ends of one of the movable tracks 14 arethe bearings 45, each having slidably mounted therein a vertically extending shaft i provide the automatic releasedevice now to be described. This device consists of levers 47, each pivoted at an intermediate point to the'vertically movable track frame 14 and with one end directly connected to the lower end of the associated bar or shaft 44 and its other end free and operatively associated with a cam 48 fixed to a release shaft 49 supported by the hangers 50 and further carries stops 51' provided with notches 52 operatively associated with pins 53 carried by the tracks.

, Secured to the release shaft is a crank arm 54 having a flexible connection with the rack bar 55 that is in turn operatively associated with the mutilated gear 56 upon the counter shaft 57. i This counter shaft carries a relatively large sprocket 58 operated by a drive ,chain 59 which is in turn operatively assogear 56 .Will perio ciated with the drive mechanism hereinafter described.

As far as I have proceeded, it will beappreciated that in the operation of the counter shaft 57 by the Sprocket 58, the mutilated 1cal1y actuate the rack bar '55 for, swinging the crank arm 54 in the required direction to give movement to the release shaft. This movementof the release shaft Wlll cause the cams to operate the associated levers which in turn subject the shafts 44 of the release bar to a downward sliding movement for bringing the release bar into operative engagement with all of the clipsassociated therewith. Thus, it willbe appreciated that in an automatic manner I am able to simultaneously operate all of the clips that engage the cloth for disconnecting the clips from the cloth in a manner as to not disturb the'smooth engagement of the cloth with the surface of the table.

D1'im'ng m'echam'sm.-This drive mechamsm consists of the heretofore mentioned transmission shaft 11 carrying a pulley 73 havlng a drive connection with the driving means of the material supporting structure.

In addition, the transmission shaft 11 carries a slidably mounted sprocket 74 having a; drivechain connection 10 with the main shaft 8. Associated with the sprocket 74 are the clutch members 76 and 77, the former operatlvely associated with a clutch member 7 8 fixed to the transmission shaft and the latter 78' operatively associated with a loose gear 79 operatively associated with a second gear 80 directly connected to a sprocket wheel 81 around which is trained the drive chain 59. To complete the driving mechanism, I provide a controller 82'positioned to be manually operated and this controller is secured to the clutch lever 42 hereinafter dethis clutch lever'42 can be either manually scribed and thus it will be appreciated that operated by the controller 82 or mechanically by the link 41 of the main control mecha nism or by a slide bar 83 that is operatively associated with the cam 84 fixed to the shaft carrying themutilated gear. slide bar a I is normally held in a predetermined position by a spring 85 so that when the mntilated gear has made a complete revolutlon', the

finger will. engage the slide bar for-moving the same the required distance to actuate the clutch lever 42.

The tracks 14 are supported by the rack bars 60 which latter areslidably supported in suitable bearings carried by the brackets 61 secured to the legs 13 of the table. Also journaled in suitable bearings upon these brackets 61 are the transversely arranged shafted 62, each carrying suitable gears 61 meshing with the rack bars 60. These shafts are also provided with sprocket wheels 63 connected by thesprocket chain 64 whereby the shafts 62 may be-rotated together.

crank handle72 is also connectedtoone of the shafts 62 whereby they may be manually rotated forelevating thetracks 14 to the required positions in order that the cloth may be lai'din stacked formation upon the table 12. A' ratchet wheel 66 is also keyed to one of the shafts 62 and is adapted to be engaged by a pawl 70 carried ,by the rod 69 accommodate the next layer of cloth to be placed upon the table 12. This rod 69 is supported in suitable bearings carried by the table and acoil spring 69 is provided for normally retaining the pawl 70 in engagee ment with the teeth of the ratchet .wheel v whereas the coil spring 9 retains the bar 69 in a position whereat the pawl70 will be normally retained out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 66. Also, pm-

otally supported upon one of the brackets 61 carried by the table is a pawl 67 normally held in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 66 in order to prevent the same from rotating in an'opposite direction'whereat the tracks 14 and the mechanism carried therebywill be lowered. As the tracks 14 are raised, the pawl 67 will retain the same in their raised positions and connected to. this pawl is a handle 68 whereby the oper ator may release the same from engagement with the ratchet wheel 66 in order that the tracks 14 may be lowered.

. Operation-To start the machine it is necessary to draw' the web of cloth from the roll; in position to dispose the edge portion of theweb contiguous to the notches of the clamp plate 33 so that the pins of. the clamp bar 24 may be inserted into the cloth and the clamp bar rigidly connected to the drive ation of the controller 82 will throw the slide 'cessively with the edge portion ofthe cloth,

sprocket of the transmission shaft into engagement with the clutch element secured to the transmission shaft which causes the transmission shaft to rotate and as this transmission shaft carries bevel gears 86 associated with the bevel gears on the tubular shafts it will be appreciated that the tubular shaft 29 will be caused to rotate carrying with them 'the shafts 28 carrying the worm wheels 27 which through their meshing relation with the associated gears causes the sprocket wheels 17 to operate the drive chains 16. As the drive chain travels, the cli s 19 will successively engage a cam device 87 for momentarily opening a clip for snapping engagement with the cloth at a point contiguous to the feed plates. This'engagement of the clips sucassures the-neat pulling of the cloth over the surface of the table, until the cloth has reached a predetermined position whereupon it will engage the'shifter 39. for actuating the same the required distance to shift the sprocket wheel 74 out of engagement with its previously associated clutch element 78 on the transmission shaft.

Upon the shifter 39 being fully actuated the transmission shaft sprocket wheel will be thrown'into operative engagement with the other associated clutch element 78' for actuation of-the gear 79 engaging gear 80 which in turn has an operative connection with the drive chain 59. 'As the chain 59 is v trained over the sprocket 58, it will be appreciated that the mutilated gear 56 is rotated the required distance to elevate the rack bar for the manipulation of the releasing mechanism. This is brought about by the inner engagement of the cams 4.8 with the levers 47 which have a pivotal connection with the bars 44 of the release bar thereby depressing the release bar the required distance to simultaneously manipulate all of p the clips that are in engagement with the cloth. This simultaneous'releasing of the clips completely disconnects the feed mechanism from the cloth'with the exception of the-clamp bar 24 whch can be released man ually. I

Subsequently to the operation just set forth, the sprocket wheel 58 has rotated the required distance to bring the lug 72 into engagement with the pawl 71 for sliding the slide bar 69 the required distance to actuate the ratchet wheel 66 the required degree to elevate the feed mechanism through the associated elevating mechanism. -Upon completion of each cloth laying and feed mecha 1 nism elevating operation, the sprocket wheel 7 4 is moved to a neutral position whereat the driven shaft 11 will be stopped and in order to automatically stop the feeding and elevatlatter is adapted to engage one end of this rod 83 so that upon each complete revolution of the shaft 57, the cam 84 will engage the rod. 83 for exerting a pull thereupon against the tension of the spring 85 so that the clutch carried by the sprocket wheels 7 3 will be moved and retained in a neutral position and out of engagement with the clutch members 78 and 78'. It is of course to be understood that after the length of cloth has been proper; ly passed overand deposited upon the top of the table, it is only necessary to manipulate the cutting mechanism for. severing the length of material from the roll to enable another length of material to be engaged by the feed mechanism and drawn over the previously cut cloth.

It is of course to be understood that various other; forms of material supporting structures maybe designed to be associated with my novel type of feeding mechanism and besides various other types of feeding mecha nism may be used in conjunction with my novel type of elevating mechanism and further, the design co-relation and manipulation of various individual parts of the ma;

termined lengths, and means for elevating V the feed mechanism periodically.

2. A cloth measuring and cutting machine comprising a cutting table, material feeding mechanism associated therewith, means operatively positioned upon the table for cutting the material into predetermined lengths and elevatin mechanism co-functioning with the feedlng mechanism to interru t the operation of the feed mechanism and raise the latter a predetermined height.

3. A cloth measuring and cutting machine com rising a cutting table, material feeding rnec anism having adjustable relation with said table to be elevated vertically by step by step movement and raising mechanism periodically functioning according to the operation of said feeding mechanism to periodically subject the feeding mechanism to an elevating movement.

4. A cloth'measuring and cutting machine comprising a cutting table, mechanism for feeding material over said table, elevating mechanism for the feeding mechanism having certain parts so disposed as to be operated by the traveling material whereby periodic operation of the elevating mechanism will periodically discontinue operationof the eeding mechanism and periodically elevate the same. i

5 A cloth measuring and cutting machine comprising a cutting table, drive mechanism,

- and regulate the elevations thereof, said v portlng structure,

elevating mechanism co-functioning with said drive mechanism to automatically control the operative connection of the drive mechanism with the feed mechanism.

6. A cloth measuring and cutting machine comprising a cutting table, a material supporting structure, feeding mechanism adjustably related with the cutting'table, and means for elevatin above the cutting ta le by a step by step mot1on whereby the material may be placed thereupon in stacked formation.

7. A cloth measuring and cutting machine comprising a cutting table, a material supeeding mechanism adjustably related with the cutting table to be elevated above the cutting table by a step by step motion, cutting mechanism adapted to be manually operated and associated with said feeding mechanism, an elevating mechanism for giving elevating movement to said feeding mechanismand means operable by the material when a predetermined length of the material has been positioned upon the vcutting tab1e for causing said elevating .mechanlsm to be operated whereby an elevating movement -may be given said feed mechanism. I

8. A cloth measuring and cuettiing machine comprising a cutting table, .fe .m'echanism associated therewith and includinggripping means for gripping an edge portion of the material for. feeding the same overthe cut ting table, elevating mechanism for the feedmg mechanism including a releasing structure operatively associated with said gripping means to intermittently release the same in accordance with the distance of travel of the material over the cutting table.-

9. A cloth measuring andcutting machine comprising a cutting table, drive mechanism,

feeding mechanism having a releasable drive connection with said drive mechanism, elevatmg mechanism for ra1s1ng the feed mechanism intermittently relative to the work surface of the cutting table and means under the control of the raising mechanism co-func- I tioning with the releasable drive connection to render the feed mechanism inoperative 'the cloth at predetermined intervals to mechanism for intermittently raisin said feed mechanism during the operation of the raising inechamsm.

10.: A cloth measuring and cutting machine comprising a work table, feed mechanism including a plurality of clips adapted to the same over the cutting table, a cloth cutting cutting mechanism including a control evice associated with the cutting table to be operatively-engaged by the material when the the latter has been fed over the work table the" I required distance, such control device adapted to set the elevating mechanism into operation and discontinue operation of the feeding mechanism. i

11. In a cloth measuring and cutting machine, cloth feeding mechanism consisting of a pair of drive chains, a clamp forsecuring the drive chains tothe edge portion of the cloth, a plurality of individual clips secured I to one of the chains at predetermined intervals for intermittent engagement with the v cloth and releasing mechanism having a timed operative relation with the travelin cloth to be operatively engagedv by the clot when the same has traveled .a predetermined distance whereby said clips will be released cloth for feeding the cloth in a predetermined direction, automatically operating releasing mechanism adapted to simultaneously release .all of thenclips from engagement with the cloth when the latter has been moved a predetermined distance. 0

13. In a cloth. measuring andcuttmg machine, a cutting table, feed mechanism having a vertical adjustable relation with the cutting 7 table, power mechanism for automatically elevating said feed mechanism when the cloth has been moved a predetermined distance acrossthe cutting table, and manually operated mechanism for elevating the feed mechanism independently of said power mechanism. 1

14. A cloth measuring and cutting machine comprising drive mechanism, a cutting table, feedlng mechanism having a shiftable dr ve connection with said drive mechanism,ra1sing mechanism having a shiftable drive conoperative connection with said feed mechanism to intermittently raise the latter and control mechanismfor automatically shifting the drive connection between the feed mechanism and the drive mechanism and between the elevating-mechanism and the drive mechanism, in accordance with the distance of nection with saiddrive mechanism and an travel of the cloth across the cutting table.

15. A cloth measuring and cutting machine comprisingvdrive mechanism, a'cutting table, feeding mechanism having a shiftable drive connection with said drive mechanism, raising mechanism having a shiftable drive connection with said drive mechanism and an operative connection with said feed mechanism to intermittently raise the latter, control mechanism for automatically shifting the driveconnection between the feed mech-- anism and the drive mechanism and between the elevating mechanism and the drive mechanism, in accordance with the distance of travel of the cloth across the cutting table and manually operateddevice for intermittently raising said feed mechanism independent of said raising mechanism.

. 16. In combination with a cloth feeding mechanism, elevating mechanism therefor consisting of power mechanism having a direct drive connection with said elevating mechanism and disposed to be engaged by the traveling cloth to control the operation thereof, and a ratchet feed device for elevating said feed mechanism independently of said elevatin mechanism. 17. In com ination, a cutting table, feeding mechanism mounted upon the cutting table to have vertical adj ustment, rack bars secured to the feedmechanism', power mechanism including gears operatively associated with said rack bars and a control device as- I sociated with the cutting table to be engaged by the traveling cloth to be set into operation thereby for controlling the action of the feeding mechanism. h In1 witness whereof I have hereunto set my an v JOSEPH E. GADBOIS. 

